Domestic violence victims should have paid leave, says ACTU

Workers should be able to take specific paid leave for domestic violence, unions say.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions president Ged Kearney is calling on the federal government to boost protections for domestic violence victims, arguing the abuse is not a private issue and must also be addressed in the workplace.

In a submission to a Senate inquiry into domestic violence, the ACTU says that while more than 1.5 million employees have access to paid domestic violence leave, the provision needs to be extended to all workers. The ACTU would like to see paid domestic violence leave included in National Employment Standards or in all modern awards.

Ms Kearney said that it was critical that victims of domestic violence are supported in the workplace, noting the ‘‘last thing’’ they need is to lose their income during an already ‘‘terrible situation’’ .

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Along with paid leave of up to about 20 days, unions are also calling for the right to request additional carers leave – to look after children who might be distressed, for example – and for the enforcement of rights to flexible work arrangements.

‘‘For too long [domestic violence] has been behind closed doors and it's been hidden away ... we’ve got to bring it out into the open and make it a social issue,’’ Ms Kearney said.

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She said workplaces also needed to do more to educate their staff about dealing with domestic violence, including in human resources areas that would be processing leave applications.

Ms Kearney also cited an example in her own work history, where she worked in an office that banded together to care for a staff member with a violent partner.

She said that the office did ‘‘very simple things’’ like move the woman’s office away from reception and vetted all her calls. They also practised scenarios about what would happen if the violent partner turned up at the office and they got advice from the local police station.

‘‘It made an enormous difference to the woman; she was much more confident,’’ Ms Kearney said.

On Monday, the Greens supported that ACTU's call.

''I hope this will propel the federal Parliament to take the lead on including domestic violence leave as a minimum working entitlement,'' Greens spokeswoman for women Larissa Waters said.

''The reality is paid leave for domestic violence is long over-due and sadly very much needed.

''It's tragic that women have to stay in violent situations because they are financially unable to escape.''